OUT OF TIBET

Tendon Dahortsang (CH): Doctor or Lawyer – A Tibetan Mother’s Ultimatum

The Lawyer, the Fighter, and the Foodie What happens when you're born stateless, raised by four monks in a Swiss village, and given a simple, but very straight ultimatum by your refugee mother: "Doctor or Lawyer"? Tendon Dahortsang chose law, but her path was anything but conventional. Today, she is a high-powered inheritance lawyer and sits on the board of a Swiss bank, navigating the elite, male-dominated sphere of corporate Switzerland. But beneath the sharp suits is a fierce Muay Thai fighter and a Tibetan activist whose life was forever changed by a whispered plea from a monk when she visited the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. In this episode, we explore: * The "Sans Papiers" Childhood: Arriving in Switzerland without citizenship and the psychological reality of growing up stateless. * Four Monks & A Baby: The incredible story of her mother's sacrifice to save her family and kids. * The Turning Point: A heartbreaking encounter in Tibet in 2003 that pushed her into global human rights activism. * From Activism to the Boardroom: Why she transitioned from leading the Tibetan Youth Association to conquering corporate law. * Muay Thai & Mental Health: How getting punched in the face became the ultimate stress relief for her. Follow Tendon on Linkedin⁠ [https://ch.linkedin.com/in/tendon-dahortsang-12738730] and food blog Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shimbuuuuu/] SUPPORT this podcast OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out: Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET [https://www.patreon.com/c/OUTOFTIBET] Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet [http://buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet] Paypal: paypal.me/nsld [http://paypal.me/nsld] Follow me on Instagram: @namridagyab [https://www.instagram.com/namridagyab] Music by Prod. Pluvio [https://www.instagram.com/prod.pluvio?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]

Tenzin Mingyur Paldron (USA) Transgender and Tibetan: The Intersection of Exile

In this episode of OUT OF TIBET, Namri Dagyab speaks with scholar and artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron (DocTenzin) about the powerful intersection of being a Tibetan refugee and a transgender man. Mingyur shares his deeply personal journey—from growing up as an "outsider" in rural America and daydreaming of Tibetan boys' names, to navigating society with a stutter and facing real-world threats from university staff. The conversation explores the illusion of "safety," why understanding the pain of other marginalized communities is crucial, and how a stunning phone call from his mother provided the radical love he needed. Ultimately, Mingyur’s story is a testament to stubborn optimism, radical self-love, and community bridge-building Follow Tenzin Mingyur Paldron! Instagram: @doctenzin [https://www.instagram.com/doctenzin/] / Transroad Diaries [https://www.instagram.com/transroaddiaries?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] / Tibet Learning Series [https://www.instagram.com/tibetlearningseries/] Website [http://www.doctenzin.com] / Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/paldron] / Linktree [https://linktr.ee/doctenzin?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnR_OP6MdvihGxXX3JGzCF5w9Rbsrw1XyPgURZhkvFMi_prT9mXXcU1Pq-vRw_aem_pm--ZWJKbCsHGYTqFF7g2g] for more info & materials & support Want to support this podcast? Follow me on  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/namridagyab/] / Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3qpuT338hjIvOTWbAhq0cv?si=f4df62de94ac452f] / Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@namridagyab] / Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/namridagyab/] Want to support me financially? Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET [https://www.patreon.com/c/OUTOFTIBET] Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet [http://buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet] Paypal: paypal.me/nsld [http://paypal.me/nsld] Music by Prod. Pluvio [https://www.instagram.com/prod.pluvio?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]

Tenzyn Zöchbauer (AUT/CH): The Burden of Activism & The Myth of the "Perfect Tibetan”

"Am I Tibetan enough?" It's a question many in the diaspora ask themselves. Growing up in Austria's very first Tibetan restaurant, Tenzyn Zöchbauer’s heritage was always front and center. But raised by a powerhouse activist mother, teenage Tenzyn often just wanted to be "normal," skip the protests, and hang out with her friends. For a long time, she grappled with the lingering insecurity of not speaking perfect Tibetan. Fast forward to today: Tenzyn is the Managing Director of the Tibet Initiative in Germany. In this episode of Out of Tibet, we trace her unplanned journey from a reluctant teenager to a "stubborn optimist" facing down a global superpower. We talk about: * The Language Struggle: Why not speaking perfect Tibetan doesn't make you less Tibetan. * Activist Burnout: The psychological burden of the cause and why setting boundaries is crucial. * Cross-Movement Solidarity: Finding hope alongside Chinese dissidents. * An Unseen Homeland: How to fight for a country you have never set foot in. Follow Tenzyn and Tibet Initiative Germany! Instagram: @t_tales_ [https://www.instagram.com/t_tales_/] and Linkedin [https://de.linkedin.com/in/tenzyn-zöchbauer-4661a3168] Tibet Initiative Germany: Website [https://www.tibet-initiative.de], Instagram, [https://www.instagram.com/tibetinitiative/] Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/tibetinitiative/?locale=de_DE]Youtube, [https://www.youtube.com/user/tibetinitiative] Linkedin, [https://de.linkedin.com/company/tibet-initiative-deutschland-e.v.]Twitter [https://x.com/tibetinitiative?lang=de] SUPPORT this podcast OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out: Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET [https://www.patreon.com/c/OUTOFTIBET] Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet [http://buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet] Paypal: paypal.me/nsld [http://paypal.me/nsld] Follow me on Instagram: @namridagyab [https://www.instagram.com/namridagyab] Music by Prod. Pluvio [https://www.instagram.com/prod.pluvio?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]

Tenzin Sewo (CH): Managing the Dalai Lama’s Foundation & The Reality of Special Needs Parenting

What happens when you manage the legacy of the world's most compassionate figure, but face a reality at home that no amount of prayer can fix? Tenzin Sewo holds a unique position: He is the Executive Director of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama in Switzerland. But when the office lights turn off, he faces a different kind of challenge. Seven years ago, his eldest daughter was diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome at the age of three, a rare genetic condition. In this vulnerable and raw conversation, Tenzin steps out from behind his official title to talk about the side of life that press releases don't cover. We discuss: * The Gatekeeper: What it’s really like to work for the Dalai Lama * The Diagnosis Trauma: A critique of how the medical system delivers bad news and treats disabled children like "objects." * Karma vs. Genetics: Navigating the cultural stigma of disability in the Tibetan community. * The "Selfish" Parent: Why Tenzin believes you must be selfish to be a good caregiver. * Two Worlds: Balancing life as a Tibetan-Swiss in Zurich. SUPPORT this podcast OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out: Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=169745330], Buy me a coffee [buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet] and Paypal [paypal.me/nsld] Follow me on Instagram: @namridagyab [https://www.instagram.com/namridagyab] Music by Prod.Pluvio [https://www.instagram.com/prod.pluvio?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D] If this conversation moved you, please leave a 5-star rating and share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

Tashi Nyima (IND): Khadok Arts Collective & Receiving $30,000 Rubin Museum Prize

$30,000. That’s the prize money that just changed the game for the Khadok Arts Collective! Tashi Nyima and their small team of four in Dharamsala recently received the prestigious Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize. Just two year’s after one of their closest friends and collaborator Jigme Choedak aka JC unfortunately passed away. The prize is the kind of validation many dream of—especially when they start as "backbenchers" who don't fit the traditional mold. In this episode, Namri sits down with Tashi to talk about the reality behind the headline. They discuss what he and his co-founders Tenzin Melak and Lea Taake motivated to continue with the collective, what it means to paint the raw, messy reality of humans instead of perfect deities, and why living in a safe settlement doesn't always mean you feel “settled." Also, the $30,000 win and how the Rubin Prize impacts the collective and the pressure that comes with it. How he began to focus more on his own works after a scary health issue when he was younger. Follow Khadok Collective and Tashi Nyima! Instagram: @khadok_arts [https://www.instagram.com/khadhok_arts?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] and @_hoo.man_ [https://www.instagram.com/_hoo.man_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Website: khadok.com [https://khadhok.com] SUPPORT this podcast OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out: Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET [https://www.patreon.com/c/OUTOFTIBET] Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet [http://buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet] Paypal: paypal.me/nsld [http://paypal.me/nsld] Follow me on Instagram: @namridagyab [https://www.instagram.com/namridagyab] Music by Prod. Pluvio [https://www.instagram.com/prod.pluvio?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]